All Miami Columbus players had heard all week was how they would finally lose to rival Belen Jesuit. Talk was centered how the defending 3A state runner-up would waltz over Christopher Columbus.

Well, it didn't happen, and other than a 7-0 lead on a short field early in the first quarter, the Belen Jesuit Wolverines continued to take a lesson on winning big games from its bigger and more talented rival.

With over 12,000 fans watching the game in a small college-like atmosphere, it was all about defense for the Explorers in a convincing 35-16 win.

With the large crowd cheering both teams on, it appeared that Belen would indeed be the team on this night when talented junior linebacker Frankie Hernandez blocked a punt and the Wolverines recovered at the Columbus 4-yard line. On the next play, Miguel Maseda scored for a 7-0 lead. But just like last year when Belen roared out to a big lead, Columbus (2-0) came right back.

Using University of Oregon commit Tacoi Sumler on offense, and a defense, sparked by Notre Dame bound senior Anthony Rabasa, the Explorers put together a complete performance as they tuned up for Miami Northwestern in a few weeks.

Sumler, a senior wide receiver, helped to break the game open with three touchdown catches. He finished with 160 yards on four catches.Senior running back Collin Alford and senior quarterback/kicker Wes Keller ignited the offense.

One of the top players on Belen Jesuit is 2012 RB Imani Davis, who had an impressive game in the state championship against Pensacola last year. Davis will be sidelined for three more weeks with a separated shoulder.

The Wolverines are loaded for the future as well with linebacker Frankie Hernandez, a 5-10, 190-pounder, that many are calling the best football player ever at the school! There is also Javy Rodriguez (2012, RB, 5-10, 165), Kevin Viera (OL, 6-0, 270), Danny Admire, QB, 5-10, 170) and sophomore kicker Matteo Buraglia.

Elsewhere in Miami-Dade County

Ransom Everglades 36, Palmer Trinity 0:Dominic Gregg had 120 yards rushing and three touchdowns, and he had nine tackles on defense. Harrison Neuman added 45 yards receiving and a touchdown. Gabe Lutsky had six tackles and two sacks. Alejandro Poggi had seven tackles for Ransom.

Coral Reef 49, Southwest 7: Head coach Chevas Clements said he wanted to see improvement from his team this year. The Barracudas haven't let him down. Brendon Clements tossed a 74-yard touchdown to Vernon Davis

Jackson 22, Dr. Krop 16: Respect was the name of the game when the 3A Generals took on the 6A Lightning. By the end, the world had been introduced to 2014 QB Quinton Flowers, who threw for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 5-10, 170-pound youth football league legend has been nothing short of spectacular in the Generals' first two wins, and this week, he showed why the national discussion about quarterbacks has to include this quality athlete.
``I've known [Flowers] since the seventh grade. He's a special kid. It's good to have a player like that on your team. We have a solid team. We bend but we don't break,'' head coach Nigel Dunn said.

Miami High 27, Miami Springs 21: There hasn't been much for this tradition-rich school and its thousands and thousands of fans and graduates to be happy about, so a win was exactly what the Stingarees needed. Quarterback Bruno Jean hit senior Tad Cato for a 43-yard touchdown pass and, following Christian Lainez's extra point, the Stingarees (1-1) had themselves a dramatic comeback win.
Miami Springs had a few stars of its own on this night. Tyrone Bibby (five receptions for 75 yards and two TDs) and Kenny Holmes (four for 100, one TD) had big nights. Holmes reeled in an 88-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Diaz on the game's very first play to give the Hawks an early 7-0 lead.

LaSalle 63, Mourning 0: Senior Jocelyn Borgella had three touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball, and came up with 12 tackles defensively. One of the state's top senior quarterbacks, Rafi Montalvo, had 300 yards passing for the second straight week. Lamar Harrington added two rushing touchdowns.

Booker T. Washington 28, Carol City 12: After losing four receivers, one of the best running backs in school history and a number of other players, including top rated 2012 DB A.J. Leggett, everyone has been waiting for the Tornadoes to drop from the elite. It hasn't happened! Senior quarterback Jeremiah Hay and senior receiver Dedric Dukes ignited the talented BTW team that moved to 2-0.

Miami Beach 33, Ferguson 0: Last year, as a junior at Miramar's Parkway Academy, many never got the chance to see small, but talented running back Kyle Lynch play. After chalking up 125 yards in the Hi Tides opener, he came back this week and posted 183 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nationally rated junior quarterback Ricardo Louis, who missed the first week because of an injury, returned and showcased his many talents. Louis added 88 yards of his own on the ground.

Southridge 41, South Miami 13: Seniors Gerod Holliman, Andrew Johnson, Desmond Hollin and Markell Mayfield all played key roles in the Spartans' win, but it was a few underclassmen who made the difference for the state-rated Spartans. Sophomore receiver/defensive back Jamal Carter and junior defensive back Nequan Phillips ignited the team in the second half.